Little Croc's Purse

K-Gr 3—While playing hide-and-seek, Little Croc finds a purse full of money. His friends want him to split the windfall so they can buy lemonade and go swimming. They laugh at him when he remains determined to do the right thing. On the way to the police station, Little Croc is tempted by a pair of beautiful red boots and some lemonade but continues on. A bully named Murdock tries to trick Little Croc into handing over the purse, and someone asks for coins for charity. At the station, Little Croc meets the purse's grateful owner, who pulls a treasured locket from a secret lining and then gives the bag back to him as a reward. He divvies up the money into envelopes labeled "spend," "share," and "save"; treats his friends to lemonade; buys himself the boots; and gives Murdock a piggy bank with a few coins inside. The simply outlined cartoon crocs appear in varying shades of green, and the gorgeous pink-flowered purse is as big as Little Croc himself, adding to the humor. This slightly predictable but enjoyable story will have readers cheering Little Croc's efforts and could be used with units on money or for character education.—Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD